90. Great Atatürk Race (2025)

The 20th Grand Atatürk Run will be the 90th edition of the traditional road running event to be held in Ankara. The event is scheduled for Sunday, 28 December at 11:00. The race will take place on a course established in accordance with the decision of the coordination board of the Ankara Governorship.

Scope

The 20th Grand Atatürk Run will be the 90th edition of the long-standing event held under the name “Grand Atatürk Run.” The race will be conducted in the senior and masters categories and will be open to club athletes, individual athletes, and foreign nationals. It has been announced that the event will be held within the boundaries of Ankara Province and will follow a road running format.

Historical Background

The first Grand Atatürk Run was organized in 1936. Permission for the inaugural event was obtained from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and the winner of that first edition was Galip Darılmaz. The event has been held continuously in subsequent years. Women athletes were included in the competition in 1992, with Lale Öztürk becoming the first female winner. The 90th edition is planned as a continuation of this historical continuity.

Date and Location

The 20th Grand Atatürk Run is scheduled to take place in Ankara on Sunday, 28 December. The start time has been set for 11:00. The starting point will be Dikmen Keklikpınarı and the finish line will be in front of the Old Ankara Train Station. The event area and route have been designed under the coordination of official authorities.

Course

The course will begin at Dikmen Keklikpınarı and conclude in front of the Old Ankara Train Station. The start and finish points have been clearly defined, and it has been announced that the race will follow this route. The start is planned for 11:00.

Registration Process

Online registrations for the race will be accepted between 1 October and 24 December. It has been announced that registration will close on 24 December at 17:00. Athletes must submit their applications through the online system of the Turkish Athletics Federation.

Categories and Participation Conditions

The event will be held in the senior and masters categories. Both club and individual athletes may participate. Foreign nationals are also eligible to take part. These athletes will be required to present their passports when collecting their race bibs and timing chips.

Award System for Foreign National Athletes

Foreign national athletes will not be eligible for cash prizes even if they achieve a placing in the race. The competition regulations specify that cash prizes are reserved exclusively for athletes holding Turkish citizenship.

Technical Meeting and Information Session

No technical meeting will be held for the 20th Grand Atatürk Run. Instead, necessary information will be provided to athletes during the distribution of race bibs and timing chips on 26 and 27 December. It has been announced that the information session will continue until 17:00 on both days.

Delivery of Race Bibs, Timing Chips and Race Kits

The distribution of race bibs and timing chips will take place at the Turkish Aeronautical Association Museum and Parachute Tower. Distribution will occur on 26 December from 11:00 to 19:30 and on 27 December from 11:00 to 19:30. On race day, 28 December, distribution will also be available at the start area between 07:30 and 09:30.

Declaration Form and Identity Presentation

Athletes must complete a declaration form to receive their race kits. The form must be downloaded, printed, signed with a wet ink signature, and submitted. Additionally, athletes must present an official identity document or an athletics athlete license. It has been stated that kits will only be distributed during the officially announced dates and times.

Organizational Structure

The organizer is listed as Ömür Ümit Sukat. It has been confirmed that the event will be held in Ankara. A telephone number and email address have been provided for contact, and information may also be obtained via WhatsApp during working hours.

Promotional Meeting

The promotional meeting for the 20th Grand Atatürk Run is planned to be held at the Turkish Aeronautical Association Museum and Parachute Tower. Attendees are expected to include Dr. Ahmet Karadağ, President of the Turkish Athletics Federation, Abdullah Şengönül, Deputy General Chairman of the Turkish Aeronautical Association, Abdullah Albunar, General Secretary of the Confederation of Turkish Amateur Sports Clubs, Sercan Yiğit, Director of the Youth and Sports Services Branch of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, and Sadık Öztürk, Director of the Ankara Youth and Sports Branch.

Topics Covered in the Promotional Meeting

During the meeting, information will be shared on the historical background of the event, its timing in commemoration of Atatürk’s arrival in Ankara, the course route extending from Dikmen Keklikpınarı to Ankara Station, and the start time of 11:00.

Promotional meeting of the 20th Grand Atatürk Run (AA)

The 90th Great Atatürk Run is a traditional road race held in Ankara as part of the 106th anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s arrival in Ankara. The event took place on 28 December 2025 and was organized by the Turkish Athletics Federation. The race featured broad participation across various age and gender categories as a major athletics event.

Start of the 90th Great Atatürk Run (AA)

Date and Course of the Event

The 90th Great Atatürk Run began on Sunday, 28 December 2025 at 11:00. The race started at Ankara Dikmen Keklik Pınarı and concluded in front of the Old Ankara Train Station. The event was organized over a 10-kilometer road race distance. The course was planned along a route extending from the southern axis of Ankara toward the city center.

90th Great Atatürk Run (AA)

Opening Ceremony

The start of the 90th Great Atatürk Run was given by Ahmet Karadağ, President of the Turkish Athletics Federation. The opening ceremony marked the official commencement of the race.

Warm-up phase of the 90th Great Atatürk Run (AA)

Participation and Overall Structure

A total of 2,050 athletes participated in the race across various age categories. The event was conducted for senior and masters categories. Results were determined separately for male and female athletes. Participants included both club-affiliated and individual athletes.

Men’s Overall Classification Results

Diyar Ergüven finished first in the men’s overall classification, completing the 10-kilometer course in 29 minutes and 24 seconds. Ali Kaya placed second with a time of 29 minutes and 46 seconds. Murat Emektar came in third with a time of 29 minutes and 54 seconds. The top positions in the men’s category were determined by margins of only a few seconds.

Participant in the 90th Great Atatürk Run (AA)

Women’s Overall Classification Results

Dilek Öztürk won first place in the women’s overall classification, finishing the race in 35 minutes and 8 seconds. Fatma Arık placed second with a time of 35 minutes and 57 seconds. Berfin Kara secured third place with a time of 36 minutes and 8 seconds. The rankings in the women’s race were also determined by clear time differences.

Participant in the 90th Great Atatürk Run (AA)

Post-Race Ceremony and Award Presentation

A medal ceremony was held after the race for athletes who achieved placements. Cups and medals were presented to the athletes during a ceremony at the Turkish Air Force Museum and Parachute Tower. The award ceremony was part of the official program of the event.